To Mom and Dad
ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
In nineteen hundred and thirty-nine
A handsome young man, a Yankee they say,
Moved to Virginia from Carlisle, P - A.
“The fishing is good,” they said, “please come.”
The Shenandoah beckoned, he longed to see,
He said he’d ‘purt near work for free.
He was hired to teach, this handsome young man.
Big Man on Campus became Man About Town.
A beautiful woman, her life somewhat troubled,
Heard someone say, “They’d make a cute couple.”
They met on the banks of the Shenandoah River,
Where downward she slid and said, with a shiver,
“Is there a Boy Scout in the house?”
She stayed very calm, did not think to panic,
As the young teacher dove and performed other antics.
Their love bloomed quickly, it has never faded.
There was never a doubt: She was swell, he was baited.
“To A Wild Rose” they marched and said their “I do’s”,
This handsome young man and his southern Bell, too:
A testimony to love and devotion,
Hard work, commitment, and Pennsylvania-Dutch stubborn.
Along came David in forty-three,
Wagons and scooters and a pet chickie.
They scrimped and saved,
They paid their dues.
Daddy trapped and sold furs
To buy baby new shoes.
Ann Catherine came next, with a head full of curls,
A cherub face, a beautiful girl.
Margaret Ruth was next in line,
Cradled in the closet in nineteen forty-nine.
Daddy moved us to Farmville, now that was a winner.
He gigged frogs, and we feasted on fried legs for Sunday dinner.
We prayed for each meal as we bowed our heads:
“Bless Mommy and Daddy and keep us well fed.”
Mom made a snug home for her brood of three,
She fed and clothed us with love and creativity.
To Northern Virginia we made our way
A teaching position, a new place to stay.
Fishing and camping and grandparents to see,
The Shenandoah River again formed lasting memories.
Dad taught us to fish and to love the outdoors,
And if we needed to “go,” I can still him say,
“Watch out for the itch weed, girls.”
As tough as pine nuts, with hair of seaweed,
We’d sing Daddy’s camp songs, I’m a hayseed.
With my ears made of leather, they flop in windy weather,
I’m a camper, don’t you see?
Mom made our dresses and taught us to sew,
And when we had money, off to the mall we’d go.
And has it been said, do you think that it’s true,
That one can inherit a love for shoes?
Charlie arrived later, a cute little lad.
A birthday twin now Margie had.
A colorful person in more ways than two,
Chuck has crafted his body with tattoo after tattoo.
Mom calls him her Technicolor son,
Daddy says an artist’s work is never done.
Many years ago, a redhead came our way.
Ginny Grove, how we love her,
She took away Dave and brought back
A kinder, gentler brother.
My sister has always followed her dreams.
A new identity, she became Ms. Kitty McKenzie.
Her daughter Anne is a lovely young woman,
A joy to her mom, with a very special husband.
Tommy and Yancey and Stephen joined also
When Margie’s heart Tommy did lasso.
And, so Mom and Dad, I’d just like to say
That I love you and wish on this anniversary
That there’ll be many more happy days in the sun,
That you’ll remain healthy, that there’ll always be fun.
You have loved us each unconditionally
And showed us that love can last continuously.
